ANIMAL: Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat Lasiorhinus latifrons Type of Animal: Wombat Habitat: Inland semiarid/arid habitats: grasslands, woodlands, plains, savannas, shrublands, semidesert/desert, mallee, scrub, forest, steppe w/ low shrubs, sandy/limestone coastal regions Location(s): SE W Australia, southern S Australia, SW New South Wales Appearance: Smallest wombat species, stocky robust build, flattened claws, very short tail, pig like snout, greyish to tan to brown coloration, whitish neck/chest, pointy ears Food/Diet: Grasses (prefers perennials), herbs, sedges, forbs, leaves, stems, roots, tubers, wood, bark, mosses, shrubs Status in Wild: Stable Conservation: Breeding in zoos & wildlife parks Lifestyle: Solitary or groups of up to 5 led by dominant male Additional Info: Called: Male: Jack Female: Jill Young: Joey Group: Wisdom/Colony/Warren Weight: Male: 41.9-79.4 lbs Female: 38.6-79.4 lbs Young: 2 lbs Gestation: 3 weeks Life Span: 15 years in wild, up to 34 years in captivity Height: 0.83-1.16 ft, same for both sexes Body Length: Male: 2.76-3.64 ft Female: 2.79-3.6 ft Young: 1.5 ft Tail Length: Male: 1.2-2.4 in Female: 1-2.1 in Main predators are foxes, dingoes, feral dogs, & eagles. Declining due to Sarcoptic mange, habitat loss, illegal culling, grazing competition from livestock/rabbits, collisions w/ vehicles, drought, low reproductive rate, & persecution by farmers due to digging habits & as pests. Like rodents, teeth grow throughout lifetime. Joeys stay in pouch for 6-8 months & stay w/ mom for up to a year & a half. To construct burrows, they sit on hind end, using forepaws to dig at earth & push it to side. Warrens often have multiple entrances. Mortality rate of young high in dry seasons. Sexually mature at 2 years old. Active in evening in cooler periods & morning in hotter periods. Fun Fact(s): Have some of the biggest brains among marsupials. Pouches positioned backwards opening toward rear rather than head so dirt doesn’t get in pouch. Can move up to 3 ft of dirt in single day. Due to very slow metabolism, digestion can take as long as 2 weeks. Poop tends to be very dry, w/ only 50% water. Use fermentation by bacterial colonies in intestines to help digest cellulose. They can run as fast as 25 mph.
